Lavender plant named ‘DLAVENLPOP’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Lavender cultivar named ‘DLAVENLPOP’ is disclosed, characterized by pink flowers and terminal bracts, uniform inflorescence and very compact plant form. The new variety is a  Lavandula , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Lavandula stoechas.

Variety denomination: ‘DLAVENLPOP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Lavandula cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newLavender varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The openpollination resulting in this new variety was made during March of 2010.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, proprietary variety referred to asLavender ‘LA-10-2000’. The pollen parent is unknown as it was an openpollination breeding program. The new variety was discovered in March of2011 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2010crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by vegetativecuttings. This was first performed at a research greenhouse in MoshavMishmar Hashiva, Israel in March of 2011 and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type inmultiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DLAVENLPOP’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DLAVENLPOP’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DLAVENLPOP’ as a new and distinct Lavendercultivar:

-   -   1. Very compact plant.    -   2. Uniform inflorescence.    -   3. Pink flowers and terminal bracts.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLAVENLPOP’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Lavender ‘LA-10-2000’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DLAVENLPOP’ differin the following;

-   -   1. Flowers earlier.    -   2. More flowers forming on one spike.    -   3. Lighter flower color.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLAVENLPOP’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Lavender ‘DLAVENGPUR’. The two Lavender varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety‘DLAVENLPOP’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Smaller terminal bracts.    -   2. More flower spikes.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLAVENLPOP’ can also be comparable to theunpatented commercial variety Lavender ‘DLAVEN31’. The two Lavendervarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘DLAVENLPOP’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces flowers the same color as the        terminal bracts whereas the comparator produces flowers        differing in color from the terminal bracts.    -   2. Plant habit of the new variety is more spreading and plant        habit is more full than the comparator.    -   3. The new variety has a more uniformed flowering habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘DLAVENLPOP’ grown outdoors, in a 16 cm pot. Age of theplant photographed is approximately 24 weeks from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the flowers.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DLAVENLPOP’ plants grown in the Autumn, in agreenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperatureranged from 20° C. to 30° C. during the day and from 15° C. to 25° C.during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Lavender ‘DLAVENLPOP’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 4 weeks at temperatures of 64-75° F.    (18-24° C.), rooting hormone can be used to promote early, uniform    rooting.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 21-28 days at temperatures    of 64-75° F. (18-24° C.).

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 24 weeks from a rooted    cutting.-   Plant spread: Approximately 30-35 cm.-   Plant height: 20 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 18 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.2 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 50.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Near Yellow-green group 144D RHS.        -   Texture/pubescence.—Pulverulent.-   Internode length: Approximately 1.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 80 per main branch.        -   Average length.—Approximately 2 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oblong.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Velvety.        -   Pubescence.—A few.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near Green group 138A RHS.            Young foliage under side: Near Green group 138B RHS. Mature            foliage upper side: Near Green group 138A RHS. Mature            foliage under side: Near Green group 138B RHS.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near            Green group 138B RHS. Venation color under side: Near Green            group 138B RHS.        -   Petiole.—Not present.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Flowering begins early Spring, with the heaviest flush    occurring until approximately April and May. Flowering continues in    lesser flushes until Fall. Inflorescence lastingness on the plant    varies from four to six weeks, depending significantly on    environmental conditions.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Small single flower in verticillasters arranged in            spikes. Flowers have small bracts, and large showy terminal            bracts.        -   Quantity of rows of flowers per verticillaster.—7 to 9.        -   Florets.—Corolla tube is 2-lipped.        -   Size individual flowers.—Length: Approximately 0.5 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence size, excluding terminal bracts.—Length:            Approximately 4 cm. Width: Approximately 1 cm.        -   Coloration of individual flowers and entire spikes,            excluding terminal bracts.—Immature: Near Purple group 75A            RHS. Mature: Near Purple group 75A RHS. Fading: Near Purple            group 72B RHS.-   Terminal bracts:    -   -   Quantity.—4.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Aspect.—Undulating.        -   Duration on plant.—Approximately 8-10 weeks, with good            color. Persistent.        -   Color.—Upper side of immature bract: Near Purple group 75B            RHS. Under side of immature bract: Near Purple group 75A            RHS. Upper side of mature bract: Near Purple group 77C RHS.            Under side of mature bract: Near Red Purple group N74C RHS.-   Fragrance: Leaves and flowers emit a delicate lavender fragrance.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Color.—Near Yellow-green group 144A RHS.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—4.        -   Filament length.—Approximately less than 0.5 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Reniform.        -   Length.—Approximately less than 0.5 cm.        -   Color.—Near Greyed orange group 166D RHS.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near Greyed green group 196D RHS. Quantity:            Few.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.35 cm. Color: Near White            group NN155 RHS.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Club-shaped. Color: Near White group NN155            RHS. Ovary color: Near Yellow-green group 144B RHS.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Seed and fruit production has not been observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    observed. Lavandula is not affected by many diseases and pests.    However, Botrytis and some root rot pathogens can be diseases    problems, especially in overly wet conditions. Various species of    White Fly may infect Lavandula.-   Temperature tolerance: High temperature and low temperature    tolerance are not known.-   Optimum temperature: Day: 64-75° F. (18-24° C.). Night: 52-62° F.    (11-17° C.).

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plantnamed ‘DLAVENLPOP’ as herein illustrated and described.